AN experienced zookeeper has died in hospital three days after a leopard attack left her with critical head and neck injuries.
The worker, a woman in her 50s, underwent a serious operation after being mauled at Safaripark Beekse Bergen in on Saturday.
The operation was successful but the woman was kept sedated and remained in critical condition on Sunday.
Safaripark Beekse Bergen announced on Tuesday that the zookeeper had died from her injures.
They said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we must report that the animal caretaker at Safaripark Beekse Bergen passed away today.
“We are sharing this in consultation with her family.”
The zookeeper, who had worked at the park since she was 17, was working in the enclosure of two male Persian leopards when she was attacked.
She was found inside the big cat enclosure with severe head wounds.
Horrified colleagues said they heard her crying for help over a walkie-talkie.
The leopard who launched itself at the zookeeper will not be put down, park staff said.
Head of Animal Care at the zoo Martin van Hees revealed: “We are not going to do anything with the leopard.
“It just sat in its enclosure and did what it did. The animal cannot help it.”
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